Antiperspirant composition



United States Patent 3,325,367 ANTIPERSPWANT COMPOSITION Waclaw L. Miechowski, deceased, late of Chicago, 111., by Roberta Miechowski, adniinistratrix, Chicago, Ill., assignor to The Gillette Company, Boston, Mass., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Filed Jan. 29, 1964, Ser. No. 341,839 7 Claims. (Cl. 1t57--90) This invention relates to an anti-perspirant composition for topical application and pertains more specifically to such a composition containing a combination of an antimicrobial a-gent and one or more of certain acetylenic diols having the ability to reduce the flow of sensible perspiration.

It is well known to those conversant with the physiology of perspiration that there are involved two distinct glandular species; the eccrine and the aprocrine sweat glands. The eccrine sweat gland is found in generalized distribution over the body surface but its secretion is thought to be of lesser importance in the study of perspiration problems and the maintenance of physical hygiene, than is the apocrine sweat gland. This latter gland is found primarily in the axillae and on the hair covered regions of the body. Although the gland itself is similar to the eccrine sweat gland, it generally opens into the hair follicle at a point above the level of the sebaceous gland opening rather than directly on the skin surface as does the eccrine gland.

Apocrine sweat is a whitish, odorless liquid which contains considerable amounts of lipid materials as compared to eccrine sweat which contains over 99% water and very small amounts of sodium chloride. While the eccrine gland responds primarily to thermal stimuli, small amounts of apocrine sweat are continuously formed and stored in the apocrine glands, later to be expelled in response to emotional stimuli. While, as has been noted above, the secretion of the apocrine duct is itself odorless, it is subject to surface bacteria of the skin which can act upon the lipid content of the sweat to form odorous compounds.

Up to the present time, the anti-perspirant compositions intended for topical application which have been most widely used include a variety of metal salts capable of inhibiting the flow of perspiration by What has been described as an astringent action. These salts are thought to react with skin proteins, causing coagulation and concomitant swelling, resulting in the partial blockage of the external openings of the sweat gland and the reduction in the fiow of sweat. In addition, these salts act as antimicrobial agents, preventing bacteria of the surface of the skin from acting on the lipid content of apocrine sweat to form objectionably odorous products. Salts of many metals including zinc, lead, zirconium, aluminum, mercury and iron have the astringent and anti-microbial properties. However, because of skin irritation only a few have been used to any substantial extent. The most commonly used salts are those of aluminum, especially the sulfate, phenol sulfonate, chloride, sulfamate, and chlorohydride complexes, but even these tend to produce some skin'irritation, due in part to the low pH of the compositions having optimum astringent properties. This shortcoming is attested to by the large percentage of consumers unable to use astringent-containing anti-perspirant products for any extended period of time. A second problem involved in the use of these compounds is the fabric corros-ivity of such compositions, due again in part to the low pH. When readily hydrolyzable salts are used in such a product, direct rotting of the contacted fabric, especially cellulosic fabrics, will occur. Even when the salts used are not sufficiently acid to promote immediate fabric damage, degradation can occur upon extended contact or at the high temperatures produced in ironing. Al-

though dry-cleaning solvents are capable of removing the oleaginous and waxy components of anti-perspirant products, the astringent salts often remain deposited in the fabric.

One object of the present invention is to provide an anti-perspirant composition of high effectiveness and reduced irritant properties.

Another object is to provide an anti-perspirant composition containing certain acetylenic diols which are nonirritating, safe for use with cellulosic fabrics and nonproductive of side effects.

Another object is to provide new and novel anti-perspirant compositions which can be applied to the human body in the form of aqueous-alcoholic solutions, ointments, creams, lotions, dry powders, wax or gel sticks, and liquid or powder aerosols.

Another object is to provide anti-perspirant compositions containing acetylenic diols and auxiliary anti-microbial agents.

Another object is to provide anti-perspirant compositions containing acetylenic diols and conventional astringent anti-perspirant metal salts as anti-microbial agents.

It has been found that there exist four acetylenic diol compounds which possess the ability to retard perspiration when topically applied to the apocrine and eccrine glands of the human body, such application being non-productive of the undesirable side effects attributed to the use of astringent anti-perspirant agents. The effective compounds are 3,6-dimethyl-4-octyne-3,G-diol; 3,6-diethyl-4-octyne- 3,6aiiol; 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol; 2,7-dimethyl-3,6-diiosopropyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol; and mixtures of these in any proportion. These compounds may be prepared by the well known condensation reaction between ketones and acetylene to form tertiary acetylenic alcohols. Details of the synthesis may be found in Acetylene Chemistry by J. Walter Reppe, P. B. Report 18852-s, published by Charles A. Meyer Company, Incorporated.

While the diol must be present in an amount of at least 0.5% by weight of the total composition in order to have any significant effect upon the properties of the composition, there is no specific upper limit on the amount of diol which may be present, there usually being no advantage in employing more than 50% composition. For best results, it is preferred that the proportion of acetylenic diol be from 1 to 20% by weight of the total composition.

In the case of the present composition, the acetylenic diols appear to have little or no anti-microbial activity in their own right. Because of this, it is necessary to add one or more of the conventional and well-known antimicrobial agents known to be useful in inhibiting biochemical decomposition of human perspiration. Among such agents are boric acid; quaternary ammonium salt germicides such as chlorides in which the alkyl group contains from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, cetyl trimethyl ammonium. bromide, and the like; phenolic compounds such as phenol, resorcinol, 8-hydroxyqninoline sulfate, hexachlorophene, bithionol; and antibiotics and the like. In addition, as pointed out above, the conventional and well-known astringent metal salts are anti-microbial agents useful in the compositions of the present invention, of which the saltsof aluminum,

zinc, and zirconium are preferred. Amongthese are aluminum chloride, aluminum sulfate, aluminum hydroxychloride complexes, aluminum lactate, aluminum sulfamate, aluminum phenol sulfonate, zinc sulfamate, zinc phenol sulfonate, zirconium lactate, zirconium citrate, zirconium tartrate, zirconium hydroxide, zirconium basic sulfate, and zirconium basic carbonate. The proportions of the anti-microbial agent present in the composition are not critical and may vary from 0.5% to 50% by by weight of the totalv benzyl dimethyl alkyl ammonium'.

weight of the total composition, depending upon the identity of the particular agent employed. In the case of the metal salts, from 2% to 25% by Weight is preferred for best results, while in the case of hexachlorophene it is preferred to use from 0.5 to by weight.

Those compositions which contain one or more of the specified acetylenic diols together with an anti-microbial agent which is not a metal salt possess the advantage that they are less likely to produce any noticeable skin irritation than those which do contain such salts; they also have a less deleterious effect upon. fabrics with which they come in contact. Such compositions may be formulated and have been found to be elfective within a pH range much higher than pH 3.5 to 4.5 which is common among commercially available astringent products. In addition, they may be used repeatedly with less likelihood of the itching and irritation suffered by some who use aluminum, zinc, zirconium and other such anti-perspirants.

Furthermore, as has been alluded to above, the acetylenic diol compounds, may be used in formulating antiperspirant compositions which, because of their higher pH levels, may be applied to freshly shaved areas with less likelihood of suffering from the burning sensation produced by some salt-containing compositions.

Although the acetylenic diols of this invention are only sparingly soluble in Water, their solubility in organic solvents and their surface active properties render them easily removable from clothing by either the usual drycleaning processes or by laundering with household detergents. Prolonged contact with the wide variety of fabric types commonly used in clothing will not result in fabric damage or dye discoloration attributed to low pH compositions.

Where individual sensitivity or fabric deterioration is not a major concern, it is possible to use with the acetylenic diols one or more of the conventional anti-microbial astringent metal salts.

The compositions of the present invention may contain in addition to the anti-microbial agent and the acetylenic diol any conventional dermatologically acceptable vehicle, the ingredients of which are inert to the agent and to the diol. The composition may be in the form of a solution, e.g., an aqueous alcoholic solution, or in the form of an ointment, cream, lotion, dry powder, wax or gel in stick form, or in any other conventional form including a solution or dispersion packaged along with a liquified gaseous propellant in a suitable pressure package for release in the form of an aerosol.

The following specific examples are intended to illustrate more fully the nature of the present invention but are not to be taken as a limitation upon the scope thereof.

EXAMPLE 1 A cream anti-perspirant composition was prepared by mixing together the ingredients of the following recipe The foregoing composition when used daily was found to be effective in minimizing and deodorizing axillary perspiration. Repeated application had less tendency to cause irritation to the skin than did similar compositions containing conventional astringent anti-perspirants, similarly causing less irritation when .applied'to freshly shaved areas of the skin. Furthermore, the composition was found to have less deleterious effect upon clothing fabrics than conventional astringent products.

EXAMPLE 2 The following cream composition was prepared in which the parts are by weight:

Perfume, q.s.

The composition gave results similar to those obtained with the composition of Example 1.

EXAMPLE 3 The following cream composition was prepared in which the parts are by weight:

Parts 3,6-diethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol 1.0 Cetyl alcohol 1.0 Glyceryl monostearate 13.0 Spermaceti Wax 4.0 Glycerine 3.0 Polyoxyalkylene propylene glycol monostearate 0.5 Polyoxy alkylene stearate 0.5 Aluminum hydroxychloride 20.0 Ethanol 10.0 Water 47.0

Perfume, q.s.

The composition was found to be effective in minimizing and deodorizing axiallary perspiration.

EXAMPLE 4 The following lotion composition was prepared in which the parts are by weight:

Parts 3,6-dimethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol 10.0 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate 0.8 Ethanol 5.0 Veegum 3.5 Mineral oil 6.0 Stearyl alcohol 1.5 Polyoxyalkylene propylene glycol monostearate 0.8 Polyoxyalkylene stearate 0.8

Water 61.6 Perfume, q.s.

The composition when applied to the skin produced results similar to those obtained with the composition of Example 1.

EXAMPLE 5 The following liquid anti-perspirant composition was prepared in which the parts are by weight:

Benzyl dimethyl alkyl ammonium chloride containing 8 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl group 0.1 Water 62.9 Perfume, q.s.

When the composition was applied to the skin, the results obtained were similar to those obtained with the composition of Example 3.

EXAMPLE 6 An anti-perspirant (and deodorant) in stick form was prepared by mixing together the following ingredients at elevated temperature, then pouring the composition into a mold and allowing it to solidify. The quantity of each ingredient in parts by weight is given below:

Parts 3,6-diethyl-4-octyne3,6-diol 2.0 Sodium stearate 8.5 Propylene glycol 5.0 Hexachlorophene 0.5 Ethyl alcohol 84.0

Perfume, q.s.

When rubbed on the skin, the stick provided the same results as were obtained with the composition of Example 1.

EXAMPLE 7 An anti-perspirant in powder form was provided by mixing together the following ingredients in the proportions indicated:

Parts 2,4,7,9-tetrarnethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol 20.0 Boric acid -2 3.0 Zinc stearate 5.0 Colloidal kaolin 15.0 Talc 57.0

Perfume, q.s.

When dusted on the skin, the powder provided essentially the same results as were obtained with the other compositions of the preceding examples.

EXAMPLE 8 The following liquid composition was prepared in which the parts are by weight:

Parts 3,6-diethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol 2.5 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-S-decyne-4,7-diol 2.5 Aureomycin 1.5 1,3-butylene glycol 5.0 Hexadecyl alcohol 5.0 Ethanol 28.5 Perfume, q.s.

EXAMPLE 9 Parts 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol 1.0 Zirconium lactate 25.0 Oleyl alcohol 23.0 Sorbitol 4.0 Cosmetic grade lanolin 47.0

Perfume, q.s.

When rubbed on the skin, this ointment produced substantially the same results as the products of the other examples.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the combination of antimicrobial agent and acetylenic diol of the present invention is effective when employed with a wide variety of dermat-ologically acceptable vehicles without loss of effectiveness and without loss of the unique characteristics which are present in the combination.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been herein described, it is not intended to limit the invention solely thereto but to include all of the obvious variations and modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An antiperspirant composition consisting essentially of an antimicrobial astringent metal salt and an antiperspirant diol selected from the class consisting of 3,6- dimethyl4-octyne-3,6-diol; 3,6-diethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol; 2,7-climethyl-3,6-diisopropyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol; and 2,4,7, 9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol and mixtures thereof.

2. An antiperspirant composition as claimed in claim 1 in which said salt is an aluminum salt.

3. An antiperspirant composition as claimed in claim 1 in which said salt is a zinc salt.

4. An antiperspirant composition as claimed in claim 1 in which said salt is a Zirconium salt.

5. An antiperspirant composition as claimed in claim 1 including a dermatologically acceptable vehicle, said salt amounting to 2 to 15% by weight of the total composition, and said diol amounting to 1 to 20% by weight of the total composition.

6. An antiperspirant composition consisting essentially of an antiperspirant diol selected from the class consisting of 3,6-dimethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol; 3,6-diethyl-4-octyne 3,6 diol; 2,7-dimethyl-3,6-diisopropyl-4-octyne-3,6- diol; 2, 4, 7, 9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol; and mixtures thereof; an antimicrobial agent selected from the class consisting of hexachlorophene; boric acid; quaternary ammonium salt germicides; phenol; resorcinol; 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate; bithionol; and astringent metal salts; said composition including a dermatologically acceptable vehicle, said antimicrobial agent amounting to 0.5 to 50% by weight of the total composition, and said diol amounting to 0.5 to 50% by weight of the total composition.

7. An antiperspirant composition as claimed in claim 6 in which said antimicrobial agent is hexachlorophene, said hexachlorophene amounting to 0.5 to 10% by weight of the total composition, and said diol amounting to 1 to 20% by weight of the total composition.

References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS 8/ 1960 Great Britain. 

1. AN ANTIPERSPIRANT COMPOSITION CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF AN ANTIMICROBIAL ASTRINGENT METAL SALT AND AN ANTIPERSPIRANT DIOL SELECTED FROM THE CLASS CONSISTING OF 3,6DIMETHYL-4-OCTYNE-3,6-DIOL; 3,6-DIETHYL-4-OCTYNE-3,6-DIOL; 2,7-DIMETHYL-3,6-DIISOPROPYL-4-OCTYNE-3,6-DIOL; AND 2,4,7, 9-TETRAMETHYL-5-DECYNE-4,7-DION AND MIXTURES THEREOF. 